By louis c. hochman
UPPER FREEHOLD – The Town-ship Committee is scheduled to vote next week on an ordinance that could strengthen drug law enforcement in town.
The ordinance, introduced at the committee’s July 20 meeting, would refine Upper Freehold’s listings of so-called "drug-free" zones to comply with state laws passed last year.
State law provides harsher penalties for anyone caught and convicted of using, selling or possessing controlled substances within 1,000 feet of a school.
Within these "drug free school zones," offenders can be subject to fines of up to $100,000, as well as imprisonment without parole.
Changes to the law passed last year also designate a radius of 500 feet around public housing facilities, public parks and public buildings as "drug-free zones," Township Engineer Glenn Gerken said.
"We had to amend our maps, with the help of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, so that there could be heavier penalties within those 500 feet," he said.
Township Committeeman William Miscoski voted against the ordinance on first reading, saying that while he agrees with strict drug enforcement, it’s silly to target selected properties only.
"I think the whole township should be a drug-free zone," Miscoski said. "Let’s increase the fines over 41 square miles and nail everybody who does drugs."
Committeeman David Horsnall said he agreed that any kind of selective enforcement is "absolutely ludicrous," but said the township should do what it can to comply with state statutes and to step up drug enforcement in general.
The ordinance passed its first reading by a vote of 3-1, with Horsnall, Mayor Richard Osborn and Committeeman Charles Faber voting to introduce the code and Miscoski voting no.
Committeeman Paul Burke arrived at the meeting after the ordinance was introduced.
Gerken said the state statute would not allow Upper Freehold officials to selectively choose areas they believe should be "drug-free zones."
"It’s very specific about what should be and what shouldn’t be listed," he said. "They don’t let you pick and choose what areas will be in the zones."
A public hearing and vote on the ordinance will be held Aug. 3.